Mill owner killed by workers in Bengal, Mamata orders probe

Alleging that BJP and CPI-M affiliated trade union members were involved in the killing of a jute mill owner in Hooghly district, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Sunday ordered a probe into the incident.

The incident happened earlier Sunday in Bhadreswar when the North Brook Jute Mill chief executive officer S.K. Maheswari was assaulted by a group of mill workers with iron rods. The mill's general manager and chief security officer were also injured in the incident. No arrests have been made so far.

"The mill workers had gathered there for a meeting with the management over some of their demands. When Maheswari came out to talk to them, he was attacked and killed by members of BJP's Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and CPI-M's CITU (Centre of Indian Trade Unions)," Banerjee said reacting to the development.

Ordering the police to take strong action, Banerjee accused BJP leaders in the state of joining hands with CPI-M goons and creating lawlessness in Bengal.

"Ever since the BJP came to power at the Centre, its leaders in the state have been continuously inciting violence. This is not an isolated incident. They have joined hands with CPI-M goons and creating lawlessness in Bengal hoping for political gains.

"We will not tolerate this. We have to and we will strongly tackle this. I have ordered a probe into this and asked the police to take strong action," added Banerjee.

Rubbishing Banerjee's charges, CITU leader Shyamal Chakraborty accused the Trinamool government of a witch hunt against the opposition.

"The Trinamool has grown apprehensive of everything and to tackle their fear psychosis they have unleashed a witch hunt against the opposition. Every now and then false cases are being filed against CPI-M leaders," said Chakraborty.

BJP leader Tathagata Roy accused the Trinamool of being behind the attack.

"Trinamool is toeing the line of the Left Front, and much like the Marxists drove away industry from Bengal, the current regime is also doing everything to ensure industry flees from the state," said Roy.